Principles of Life Science is a course designed for students in PFA who need credits in Biology and/or need to pass the MCAS in biology. It is a one-year course worth 5.0 credits. The course will contain 4 quarters of study.
We will use the Holt Biology textbook, which can be accessed online at: http://my.hrw.com
Just click "Go to Interactive Edition", then "Book Pages" and enter the page # you're looking for.
All students should have usernames and passwords, but here's a temporary one you can use:
Username: lifescience52
Password: j2k7s
Quarter 1: Ecology and Evolution ·Students will recognize that living things interact with eachother and their nonliving environment. ·Students will describe how energy flows through a food web.
In this unit, students will learn about the roles of organisms in food webs. Students will observe a field site, identify organisms using a dichotomous key, and dissect owl pellets. Students will also study the pesticide DDT and how it affected the natural world, as well as its use in malaria-stricken countries. Students will complete an experiment that shows how animals produce carbon dioxide and plants absorb it. Students will study Darwin's theory of evolution and the evidence that supports it. Students will model how camouflage can affect the survival of an organism. Students will complete a project that demonstrates their knowledge of a particular ecosystem and the role of humans in that ecosystem.
Quarter 2: Cells and Classification ·Students will recognize that all living things are composed of cells. ·Students will describe how different cells are adapted to different environments.
In the second unit, students will learn to use compound microscopes correctly and use them to observe cells. Students will study the cell membrane and demonstrate how it allows some substances to enter and leave the cell. Students will test areas of the school for bacteria presence and measure the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps and gels. Students will complete a project that demonstrates their understanding of one type of cells (Bacteria, Protist, Fungi, Plant, or Animal.)
Quarter 3: Genetics ·Students will recognize that traits are passed from parents to offspring through DNA. ·Students will describe how scientists can predict the traits of offspring and use that knowledge to help families.
In the third unit, students will study how traits are passed from parents to offspring. Students will extract DNA from living things. They will construct models of DNA and demonstrate how DNA replicates and is translated into proteins that the body needs. Students will model cell reproduction and understand the differences between mitosis and meiosis. Students replicate Mendel's experiments with pea plants. Students will use Punnett Squares to model how traits are inherited in families. They will create and interpret pedigrees that show the family history of a trait. They will learn about modern genetic technology and develop an opinion related to its use. Students will complete a project that demonstrates their understanding of a genetic disorder.
Quarter 4: Chemistry of Life and the Body ·Students will recognize that all living things struggle to survive in their environments. ·Students will describe the similarities and differences that exist between the anatomy of humans and other animals.
They will learn about the nutrients that consumers use for energy and test foods for these nutrients. Students will learn about recent legal action related to nutrition in the U.S. Students will study the anatomy of many organisms and identify examples of homologous and analogous structures. Students will review energy use and study the digestive and circulorespiratory systems. Students will dissect frogs. Students will learn about the nervous system and study the behavior of living organisms in nature. Students will complete a project that demonstrates in-depth understanding of one area of life science and teach their topic to the class.
We will use the Holt Biology textbook, which can be accessed online at: http://my.hrw.com
Just click "Go to Interactive Edition", then "Book Pages" and enter the page # you're looking for.
All students should have usernames and passwords, but here's a temporary one you can use:
Username: lifescience52
Password: j2k7s
Find the 'Principles of Life Science' syllabus here.
Quarter 1: Ecology and Evolution · Students will recognize that living things interact with eachother and their nonliving environment.
· Students will describe how energy flows through a food web.
In this unit, students will learn about the roles of organisms in food webs. Students will observe a field site, identify organisms using a dichotomous key, and dissect owl pellets. Students will also study the pesticide DDT and how it affected the natural world, as well as its use in malaria-stricken countries. Students will complete an experiment that shows how animals produce carbon dioxide and plants absorb it. Students will study Darwin's theory of evolution and the evidence that supports it. Students will model how camouflage can affect the survival of an organism. Students will complete a project that demonstrates their knowledge of a particular ecosystem and the role of humans in that ecosystem.
Quarter 2: Cells and Classification ·Students will recognize that all living things are composed of cells.
· Students will describe how different cells are adapted to different environments.
In the second unit, students will learn to use compound microscopes correctly and use them to observe cells. Students will study the cell membrane and demonstrate how it allows some substances to enter and leave the cell. Students will test areas of the school for bacteria presence and measure the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps and gels. Students will complete a project that demonstrates their understanding of one type of cells (Bacteria, Protist, Fungi, Plant, or Animal.)
Quarter 3: Genetics
· Students will recognize that traits are passed from parents to offspring through DNA.
· Students will describe how scientists can predict the traits of offspring and use that knowledge to help families.
In the third unit, students will study how traits are passed from parents to offspring. Students will extract DNA from living things. They will construct models of DNA and demonstrate how DNA replicates and is translated into proteins that the body needs. Students will model cell reproduction and understand the differences between mitosis and meiosis. Students replicate Mendel's experiments with pea plants. Students will use Punnett Squares to model how traits are inherited in families. They will create and interpret pedigrees that show the family history of a trait. They will learn about modern genetic technology and develop an opinion related to its use. Students will complete a project that demonstrates their understanding of a genetic disorder.
Quarter 4: Chemistry of Life and the Body
· Students will recognize that all living things struggle to survive in their environments.
· Students will describe the similarities and differences that exist between the anatomy of humans and other animals.
They will learn about the nutrients that consumers use for energy and test foods for these nutrients. Students will learn about recent legal action related to nutrition in the U.S. Students will study the anatomy of many organisms and identify examples of homologous and analogous structures. Students will review energy use and study the digestive and circulorespiratory systems. Students will dissect frogs. Students will learn about the nervous system and study the behavior of living organisms in nature. Students will complete a project that demonstrates in-depth understanding of one area of life science and teach their topic to the class.